Agra & Jaipur with Kerala Tour

Duration: 18 Nights / 19 days
Destinations covered: - Delhi - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur - Bangalore - Mysore - Ooty - Cochin - Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Kovalam - Trivandrum

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Day 01: Arrive Delhi

On arrival at International airport, the guest will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Delhi, capital city of the Federal Republic of India is one of India's fastest growing cities. The city has two distinct parts, Old Delhi & New Delhi. Old Delhi reflects shades of Mughal Emperor whereas New Delhi shows the legacy of what British left behind.
The streets of Old Delhi are narrow & bustling. The beauty & serenity lies inside the courts of the main buildings. Delhi has some of the finest museums in the country. Its boutiques and shopping arcades offer access to a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts, from all over the country. New Delhi was proclaimed the capital of India by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), & is tree-lined & spacious.

Day 02:Delhi
After breakfast proceed for day sightseeing of Delhi covering the following areas of New Delhi and Old Delhi
Rajghat - A memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, also known as Bapu (Father of Nation)
Red Fort (Lal quila) - Old Delhi is centered on the Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jahan between 1636 & 1658, when the mougal empire was on its peak.
Jama Masjid (Mosque) - Work on the Jama Masjid mosque was begun in 1650 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to complement his palace at the Red Fort. More than 5,000 workers toiled for six years to complete the largest mosque in India.
Qutub Minar - is the tallest stone tower in India. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer
Indian Gate - Built as a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 India soldiers killed in World War, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931.
Built from sandstone, the arch also houses the Eternal Flame, a gesture in memory of the Indian soldiers who laid their lives in the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Rashtrapati Bhawan - Formely the Viceregal Lodge, the building is the highlight of Lutyen's New Delhi and was completed in 1929 at a cost of 12,53,000 pound sterling. Located in an area of 130 hectares, the palace has 340 rooms
Overnight in Delhi - we will be happy to recommend places for an evening stroll or a restaurant for dinner tonight.

 

Day 03: Delhi - Agra (201 kms - 4 hours drive by road)

After breakfast start for Agra by road. Check in at hotel.
Agra- Heritage of Agra city is linked with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century.
Babar (founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra and introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here. Emperor Akbar built the Agra fort and Fatehpur Sikri near Agra. Fatehpur Sikri remained his capital for around fifteen years after which the city was left isolated in mysterious circumstances. Jahangir beautified Agra with palaces and gardens despite spending most of his time in Kashmir with which he was passionately attached.

Evening proceed for Taj Mahal sightseeing
Taj Mahal For centuries, the Taj Mahal has inspired poets, painters and musicians to try and capture its elusive magic in word, colour and song. It is one of the most flawless architectural creations of the world. Since the 17th century, travellers have crossed continents to come and see this ultimate memorial to love, and few have been unmoved by its incomparable beauty. The Taj Mahal in Agra India is considered one of the best examples of Mughal architecture in India. The history of the Taj Mahal is one of the great love stories of the world. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan ruled from 1628 to 1658 and was married to Arjumand Bano Begum in 1612 A.D. He called his wife Mumtaz Mahal or Crown of the Palace. Her dying wish to Shah Jahan was that he should "build a tomb in her memory such as the world had never seen before." The history of the Taj Mahal begins with Mumtaz Mahal's tragic end.
Overnight at Agra.

Day 04: Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur (235 kms-6 hours drive by road)
After breakfast at hotel, drive to Jaipur. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri - The city of victory beautifully preserved. The sandstone mansions of Sikri are experiments in art and architecture and to a great extent uphold Akbar's ideals and visions.

Later continue your drive to Jaipur, transfer to hotel.
Rest of the day free. Evening optional visit to Raj Mandir cinema hall famous for its beautiful interiors or "Chokhi Dhani" - A five star ethenic village Resort for dinner on direct payment basis.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

 

 

Day 05: Jaipur
After breakfast proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
Amber fort palace - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace.  Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I.  Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Mughal ruling families.
Continue sightseeing.
City palace - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city.  It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
Jantar Mantar - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country.  This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
Hawa Mahal - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur.  It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
Evening leisure for shopping or one can visit Birla temple to explore the religious side of Jaipur. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Jaipur-Bangalore (1985 kms 4.5 hours by Air)
After breakfast start for airport to catch flight for Bangalore.

Bangalore- The city of Bangalore has witnessed the rise and fall of great empires as history progressed. The throne of the great warrior Tipu Sultan and then the rule of the East India Company are to name a few among them. The city therefore not only has pleasant weather and modern way of living to attract visitors but also holds historic importance. There are a lot of places to see in Bangalore. From temples to museums, from malls to entertainment places, from parks and zoos to a national park, the city has it all.

Arrive Bangalore and check in at hotel.

Evening leisure for shopping. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Bangalore
After breakfast proceed for full day tour of Bangalore

Lal Bagh Gardens

Haider Ali laid out the garden while Tipu Sultan added plants and trees for other countries. The place has over 1800 species of tropical, sub tropical, medicinal and floral plants. One of the four Kempe Gowda tower is located in this garden. Flower shows are organized here in Republic Day and Independence Day weeks.

CubbonPark
it is located in the cantonment of the city. The high court state library and museums are also located here apart from fountains, bandstand and statues.

GovernmentMuseum
Established in 1886, it is one of the oldest museums in the country. It has 18 galleries comprising of Neolithic finds from various civilizations, antique jewellery, textiles, coins, art and miniature paintings among other reserves.

BangalorePalace
The Bangalore Palace was built by the then King of Mysore, Chama raja Wodeyar. He bought the land from Rev. Garret and builds a majestic palace on it, in 1884. The architecture represents Tudor style. The construction of this palace is inspired by the Windsor Castle of England.

Venkatappa Art Gallery

This place displays the works of painter Venkatappa, wood sculptor Raja ram, Hebbar and many others.

BullTemple
The temple was built at Basavangudi in the Kempe Gowda period in 16th century. The monolithic Nandi bull made of grey granite polished with mixture of groundnut oil and charcoal is believed to have grown and now measures nearly 5m in height and over 6m in length.

Tipu's SummerPalace
This palace, started by Haider Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan in 1789 is a two storeyed ornate structure. Substantial woodwork and ceilings painted in bright colors and beautiful carvings add to the beauty of the place.

ISKON Temple Complex
ISKCON Temple Complex is one of the popular tourist attractions of Bangalore. Especially for the Hindu religious tourists it holds great significance. ISKCON stands for International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Founded by Srila Prabhupada in 1966, the ISKCON society's ambit has crossed the national boundaries.

Venkataramanasvami Temple
The new Maharaja of Wodeyar dynasty is believed to have worshipped in this temple before entering the temple after the restoration of the throne.

 

Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Bangalore-Mysore (139 kms 3 hours drive by road)
After Breakfast drive to Mysore.

Mysore, the city of palaces, is a popular travel destination in South India. Also called Mysooroo, the city was earlier the capital of the Wodeyar rulers. The Wodeyar rulers were great patrons of art and culture, which you can see in the rich heritage of the city. Besides its numerous palaces and royal buildings, Mysore city is also known for proximity to several other places of interest such as Srirangapatna, Krishna Raj Sagra dam and Sivasamudram falls.

In addition to its numerous attractions, the Mysore city is also known for sandalwood products and the Dussehra festival (Navaratri) held every year. The Mysore Dussehra is famous far and wide and attracts people from all parts. The name Mysore is said to have been derived from Mahishuru, which in turn has come from Mahisha. According to legends, the area around the Mysore city was once under the demon king Mahishasura, who was defeated and killed by goddess Chamundeshwari.

Arrive Mysore and check in at hotel.

In the afternoon start for sightseeing of Mysore.

Mysore Palace - It is built in Indo - Saracenic style with beautiful domes, arches, turrets and colonnades. It is the heaven of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. You can’t miss the luxuriously furnished rooms. The majestic Durbar Hall has an ornate ceiling and many sculpted pillars. See the magnificent jewel studded golden throne, the pride of the Wodeyars and the symbol of their sovereignty. It is displayed only during the Dussehra.

 

Chamundi Hills - Chamundi Hill can be reached by a 13 km road or by climbing up by the 1,000 steps laid out by the Maharaja in the 17th Century. It is a well-known 335 meters high landmark. Half - way up along the stone steps is Nandi, Lord Shiva’s bull. It is a majestic 4.8-meter monolith. At the top is the 12th Century temple of Chamundeshwari, the patron goddess of the Wodeyars. Form the top you can take a beautiful view of Mysore’s lakes, parks and palaces.

 

Karanji Lake: The Lake is situated on the foothills of Chamundi Hills. This lake is famous for its boating facilities.

St. Philomina’s Church

A beautiful Cathedral, reminiscent of medieval architectural style. Stained glass windows and lofty towers make it an imposing structure.
It is approximately 1 km from the main bus stand.

Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 07: Mysore Sightseeing /Ooty (155 kms 3.5 hours drive by road)
After breakfast proceed for half day tour of Mysore.
Mysore Zoo - home of rare species of fauna

The Mysore Zoo was set up under royal patronage in the 19th Century. Its fauna includes rare and exotic species, which are housed in lush, green surroundings. The Zoo is famous for breeding some very rare animals in captivity. These days Mysore Zoo is very much in picture because of frequent deaths of animals and birds and because of this factor it is slowly loosing its charm and fame. A good place for children.

Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery - a treasure house of masterpieces

It is popularly known as Jaganmohan Palace. The Jaganmohan Palace was converted into an art gallery in the year 1875. It exhibits paintings, which date back to that period. The artists of that time used natural vegetable and mineral dyes. The famous traditional Mysore “Gold leaf” paintings are also exhibited in the gallery, as are oil paintings of contemporary artists like Raja Ravi Varma and Svetoslav Roerich.

Kukkarahalli Lake: In the heart of Manasa Gangotri campus, situated a beautiful lake, which is frequently visited by bird watchers, water sport lovers and nature lovers. Varieties of migratory birds visit the lake during winter and to watch those birds is feast to the eyes. The lake is very near to the railway station and bus stand. Boating facilities are available on nominal rates.

Lingabudi Lake: Lingabudi Lake, which is situated in Sriramapura, also accommodates varieties of migratory birds. There is also a beautiful park by the side of the lake. The whole place is full of green and it is another favorite place of nature lovers.

In the late afternoon drive to Ooty.

Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the "Queen of hill stations" and the capital of Nilgiri district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiri means "Blue Mountains". It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. An added attraction for the tourists to Udhagamandalam is the mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens. 

 

Arrive Ooty and check in at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 08: Ooty

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Ooty.
Botanical Garden- Sprawled over an area of 50 acres, the garden lies on the lower slopes of Dodabetta peak. Botanical garden was laid out in 1847 and is home to 650 species of plants and trees. Don’t forget to take a look at the 20 million old fossil of a tree. The famous summer festival is held here a very year. The garden is a wonderful place for taking a walk among the greenery.
Government Museum: Set up in 1989, the museum is home to some tribal objects, sculptures, arts and crafts and ecological details of the district. It is one of the most popular tourist sites in Ooty.
Ooty Lake: It is a favorite haunt for tourists. The Lake is an ideal place for boating, fishing and picnics. Paddle boats and rowing boats are also available here. It has the tallest memorial of Ooty, a pillar surmounted by a cross.
Dodabetta Peak: With an altitude of 2623 meters, it is the highest peak in Tamil Nadu and the best vantage point in Ooty. A motor road takes you to the top of the peak.

Lamb’s rock: It is an ideal picnic spot and offers stupendous views of the Coimbatore plains and the tea estates.

Madumalai wildlife sanctuary: An ideal place for excursion, the park is home to some of the rarest animals some of them being tigers, leopards, sambhar, barking deer and flying squirrel. The sanctuary boasts of rich flora. Some birds commonly seen here are parakeets, crested hawk, Malabar trogon, eagle and black woodpecker.

Kotagiri: The small village is the center of tea gardens and is known for its tranquil beauty.

Kalhatty waterfalls: The beautiful waterfalls are about 100 feet high and ideal for trekking.

Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 09: Ooty-Cochin (281 kms 5.5 hours drive by road)
After Breakfast drive to Cochin.

Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala

Arrive Cochin and check in at hotel.

Relax for the rest of the day or take a walk along the historic colonial streets of Fort Cochin. Watch a Kathakali Show (Traditional art performance of Kerala). Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Cochin
After breakfast proceed for a guided tour of Fort Cochin and the Jew Street in Mattancherry. Visit the synagogue, century’s old churches and palaces, colonial buildings, Chinese fishing net etc. Spend your evening on the near by Fort Cochin beach or ferryacross to Cherai Beach which is half an hour away. Come back to the hotel or visit Ernakulam city for souvenir and other shopping on Mahatma Gandhi Road. Over night stay at the hotel.

 

Day 11: Cochin - Munnar (140 Kms, 4 hours drive by road)

After breakfast drive to Munnar. Throughout the journey enjoy beautiful streams small water falls, Rubber, Pepper cardamom and Tea plantations and thick forests.
Munnar - breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility - the idyllic tourist destination in God's own country. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air.
Arrive Munnar and check in at resort.

Day 12: Munnar

After breakfast start for a full day sightseeing of Munnar watch beautiful mist kissing romantic green meadows- mind-blowing hills sleeping under green carpet (Tea Gardens) visit Mattupetty Lake & Dam, Echo Point, Kundale Lake, Blossom Garden, Rajamalai, Eravikulam Wildlife sanctuary & Tea Plantation. Overnight stay at Munnar.

 

Day 13: Munnar - Thekkady (120 kms, 4 hours drive by road)

After breakfast start for Thekkady. Drive through panoramic western Ghat hills covered with spice plantations and occasional view of water falls and streams.
Thekkady - one of India's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, where you can watch wildlife at close range. The vegetation, the flora and fauna and the birds of Thekkady are uniquely rich, vast and varied that it does not bear semblance to any other wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Even a casual visitor to this place will not fail to observe the special ecological pattern of Thekkady.
On arrival at Thekkady check into Hotel.
Afternoon experience the mind bowing view of calm crystal clear Periyar lake to view the wildlife. Overnight stay at Thekkady

 

Day 14: Thekkady - Kumarakom (145 kms, 4 hours drive by road)
After breakfast start for Kumarakom.
Kumarakom - When nature is all you need to recuperate, Kumarakom is undoubtedly the most invigorating, fascinating paradise in Kerala, God's own country. The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind with renewed inspiration for your vocation and life. That is the pristine beauty of Kumarakom.
Arrive Kumarakom and check in at resort.
Visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. In the evening canoe down the narrow canals. Join the evening sunset cruise or enjoy the beauty of backwater by just relaxing near Vembanadu Lake. Overnight stay at the resort.

 

Day 15: Kumarakom (Houseboat)

Breakfast at resort. Morning at leisure at resort, 1230 hrs check in at houseboat. Rest of the day at leisure on the House Boat. Sit back and relax while the boat cruises through the narrow serene backwater canals. Lunch, Evening Tea/Coffee with snacks, dinner and enjoy your evening on the sundeck away from polluted cities and maddening crowd. Overnight stay on House Boat.

Day 16: Kumarakom-Alleppey (38 kms, 40 minutes drive by road)

After breakfast start for Alleppey.
Arrive Alleppey and check in at Houseboat and enjoy an over night cruise cum stay in your houseboat. Food will be served in the houseboat. Enjoy the unique experience of a day on backwaters in a houseboat, and meander through the labyrinth of canals, that makes Kumarakom a top world destination. The backwater ride paints vivid picture of the traditional country life in all its natural beauty.
Over night stay at the houseboat.

Day 17: Alleppey-Kovalam (158 kms 3.5 hours drive by road)
After breakfast start for Kovalam.
Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. Azure water and favourable climate make Kovalam a favorite year-round spot for swimming. Sea here is pacific and shallow where you can take a dip in the saline waters. Surfing and swimming are among the other water sports possible in Kovalam beach. Many people from different countries and cultures intermingle with each other and get together in this paradise of the South and spend their leisure time joyfully.

Check-in at hotel at Kovalam. The rest of the day is kept for a leisure at the Kovalam Beach. Overnight stay at Kovalam.

Day 18: Kovalam - Trivandrum (16 Kms, 20 mins drive by road)

After breakfast start for Trivandrum.

Thiruvananthapuram (known as Trivandrum) the capital of Kerala. Located at the South Western tip of India, is bounded by the Arabian sea on the West and Tamil Nadu on the East. The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the Eastern and North Eastern borders give some of the most enchanting picnic spots, a long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this district a much sought after tourist destination.

Arrive Trivandrum and check in at hotel.

In the afternoon visit Museum Complex, Padmanabha Swami Temple, Science and Technology Museum, Veli Tourist village.

Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 19: Trivandrum

After breakfast drive to International airport to board flight for destination ahead with sweet memories of Kerala, Gods own country.